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Hadrosaur



Photo is courtesy of BC Hydro



 in the Hudson's Hope area:
  • Over 1,700 tracks in more than 100 track ways
     
  • No dinosaur bones or fragments
     
  • Oldest record of bird foot prints in the world (1979), primitive shore bird, similar to killdeer, Aquatilavipes.
     
  • Approximate era: 125 million years ago, tracks made in Gething formation represent a period of 10 - 15,000 years = Early Cretaceous even though the dinosaurs etc. represented resemble those found in the much later Upper Cretaceous time frames in Alberta and Central Asia.
     
  • Duck-billed dinosaurs, Hadrosaurs, were the most abundant = 60%: both hand and foot prints found, weight 2200 kg, 2.5m at the hip, herbivorous.

     

  • At least 4 species of carnivorous dinosaurs = 10% large, 20% medium and small: Irenesauripus similar to Albertosaurus (which is very like T-Rex but smaller and more agile), ranged in size from 0.5m high at the hip to 2.75m at the hip, the most common was 1.5m at the hip = the size of a man, traveled in small packs, speed up to 16.5 km/hr, hunted both on land and in water.  Also Ornitholestes, a small but active predator, 2m long, less than a meter at the hip.
     
  • Horned dinosaurs: small Iguanodon = Camptosaurus, small being relative as they weigh 700 kg and are lumbering, heavy-limbed herbivores.  Primitive Ankylosaur = Sauropelta, didn't have spinal spikes yet, 2000 kg, herbivorous.
     
  • This area was warm and lush like a delta with large rivers, extensive swamps and broad bodies of fresh water.

    This information is taken from the published report: Dinosaur Footprints in the Peace River Canyon, by Philip Currie of the Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller, Alberta.

 

 

Hudson’s Hope is one of the few communities in the world lucky enough to have a dinosaur named after it.  Hudsonelpidia, a large ichthyosaur, was first discovered here in the early 1960’s. At the Hudson’s Hope Museum Marine Reptile displays feature the Hudsonelpidia.  

The Plesiosaurs and Ichthyosaur inhabited the water of what is now Williston Lake.  The long necked Plesiosaurs are thought to have laid eggs on the shores much like turtles do today, while the Ichthyosaur gave birth to live young.

The area is also one of the richest sites of fossils and dinosaur footprints in the world.  The Hudson’s Hope Museum fossil display is the finest collection in the Peace River area.  Is it any wonder that the town mascot is a friendly little fellow by the name of Dudley Dinosaur?

Hudson’s Hope was once home to many types of dinosaur species.  Their tracks can be viewed at the Visitor Centre, Museum and WAC Bennett Dam.  As well as tracks, the Peace Canyon Dam is home to two life sized duck-billed dinosaurs (Hadrosaurs).  The Museum also has skull castings, teeth, bone, bison skulls and horns on display, as well as ammonites and starfish.

 





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Inside facts about Hudson's Hope

Hudson’s Hope is actually has a dinosaur named after it.  The Hudsonelpidia, a large ichthyosaur, which was first discovered here in the early 1960’s.

 

 
Williston Lake is so large you can actually see it from outer space.
 

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9904 Dudley Drive
PO Box 330, Hudson's Hope
British Columbia, V0C 1V0 Canada

Telephone: (250) 783-9901
Fax: (250) 783-5741